Transposing device for musical instruments



8 J. a. FIALA TRANSPOSING DEVICE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet l V 1,638,297 J. B7 FIALA TRANSPOSINGDEVICE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Oct. 2, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 via. 2 26 Patented Aug. 9, 1927.

UNITE!) STATES aossrrr B. rIALA, or

1 .e3a2a7 PATENT OFFICE.

NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD PNEUMATIC ACTION COMPANY, A CORPORATIQN OF NEW YORK.

TRANSPOSING DEVICE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Applicationfiled'October 2, 1922. SeriatNo. 591,692.

The object of this invention is to provide a new and improved device by which the tracker mechanism of an automatic musical instrument can be adjusted so thatthepiece of music can be played in different keys.

To this end, the invention consists of the mechanisms described in this applicationfor patent and illustrated in'the accompanying two sheets of drawings, in which Fig. 1 is afront elevation of the preferred form of my device,

Fig. 2is a cross-sectional elevation on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial front elevation on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the parts in a different adjusted pos1- tion' a Fig. 5 is a view illustrating the mountings on which the tracker bar is adjusted;

Fig. 6 a partial plan view of the tracker bar- 7 is a cross-sectional elevation on the line 7 7 of Fig. 3; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are'partial front elevations illustrating modifications hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawings and in detail, A designates the spool box which has the renal hearings in which a music roll B can be placed and in which a take-up roll 0 is journalled. D designates the apertured tracker bar. The musicsheet E is drawn from the music roll B over the tracker bar D by the take-up roll C for playing and is rewound from the take-up roll to the music roll. Attached. to. the left hand side of the spool box is an arm 10 having a forwardly extending block or face 11 in which are arranged tracking openings 12.12 and a loud pedal opening 18. Secured to the right hand side of the spool box is an arm lt which has a forwardly extending block or face 15 having tracking openings 1616. The two arms 10 and 1 1 are secured together by a connecting rod 17. The tracker bar D is fit ted to slide in the two sides of the spool box A and is held in place therein by straps or brackets 1818 The back of the tracker is recessed or cut away so as to fit on the arms 10 and 14 and is provided with apertures or openings 1919 through which the blocks or faces 11 and 15 project, the front surfaces of these faces being formed to coincide with the The tracker bar is provided with tubes 20 to which flexible tubes 21 are connected. By this arrangement the tracker bar can be slid laterally of the music sheet, the tracking openings and loud pedal openings remaining in the same position relatively to the music sheet. By such an adjustment the key in which the piece of music is played can be varied.

lit is obvious, however, that when the tracker bar is adjusted laterally it'should be adjusted exactly one or more of the dis tances which the playing apertures are relatively spaced so that the music sheet will correctly register with the tracker bar in any of its adjusted positions. To provide a simple mechanism for adjusting the tracker laterally and holding it accurately in .any of its adjusted positions, the following mechanism is provided, reference being had first to the firstseven figures of the drawings. A screw 22 is threaded into and secured in the left hand side of the spool box. This screw is provided with a number of grooves 28 spaced accurately apart distance-s equal to the spacin of the playing apertures in the tracker bar. As many such grooves as desired within the limits of the apparatus may be employed, five being shown in the present embodiment of the invention. A flexible spring arm 2% is secured to the top of the trackerbar. This has an upwardly turned end 25 which is shaped to engage accurately into any one of the grooves 23. The spring arm is also provided with a handle or manipulating piece 26. When it is desired to adjust the tracker bar all that is necessary is to take hold of the handle 26, press the spring arm downwardly, move the tracker bar laterally'to the desired position and let the spring arm fly upwardly to engage in the proper groove 23. This will set and hold the tr'ackerbar accurately in the desired po sition. In some cases a handle 27 additionally may be attached to the right hand end of the tracker bar.

In Fig. 8 the grooved screw 22 is arranged below the take-up roll C. An arm 28 having a handle 29 is fitted to slide in the left hand side of the spool box. This arm has a projection 30 shaped to engage any one of the grooves in the screw 22. The arm is held normally in upward position by means of a plunger 31 and spring 32. The end of the outer or hearing face of thetracker bar, arm 28 projecting through the spool box is connected to a lever 33 mounted on a pivot 34;, the upper end of which lever is forked and engages a rod 35 secured to the left hand end of the tracker bar. By pressing down on the handle 29 and then moving the same to the right or the left, the tracker bar can be adjusted as desired and when the handle is released, the same will set and lock the tracker bar in adjusted position by the engagement of the projection 30 with one of the grooves in the screw 22.

In some instances the screw 22 can be arranged on the outer side of the spool box so as to be out of the way and outof sight, as illustrated in Fig. 9.

The details and arrangements herein shown and described may be greatly varied by a skilled mechanic without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

Having thus fully described my invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A transposing device for musical instruments consisting of a spool box, a lateral-- ly movable tracker bar and means for adjusting and locking the tracker bar in diflerent positions, consisting of a spring arm and a grooved screw adj ustably threaded into the spool box with which the spring arm engages.

2. A transposing device for musical instruments consisting of a spool box, a laterally movable tracker bar and means foradjusting and locking the same in different positions, consisting of a grooved screw adjustably threaded into the spool box independently of the tracker bar and a spring arm attached to the tracker bar and shaped to engage the grooved screw.

3. A transposing device for musical instruments consisting of a spool box, arms secured thereto having blocks provided with faces having tracking openings, a connecting rod holding the said arms together, an apertured tracker bar fitted to slide on said arms and having openings so that said blocks or faces can project through the same, a grooved piece adjustably secured to the spool box independently of the tracker bar and a spring arm secured to "the tracker bar and shapedto engage said grooved piece.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

JOSEPH B. FIALA. 

